Best Mattress for Chronic Pain
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What Is the Best Mattress for Chronic Pain?
You may have chronic pain as a result of a variety of conditions. But no matter what causes your chronic pain, you need deep sleep to feel your best. Whether you have a bad back, arthritis, inflammation or headaches, chronic pain can make it more difficult to fall and stay asleep. Are you in need of a good night's sleep?
For the best rest, create a routine and stick to it. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Avoid caffeine eight hours before bedtime. Avoid screens and excitement the hour before you go to bed. And make sure your bed and bedroom is cool. Experts suggest you experiment with various temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees to find the one that helps you sleep best.
Your old mattress may also not be cutting it. Choosing a mattress that helps you relieve pain and sleep soundly is also an important part of your pain-management strategies. The best mattress for you depends on the kind of pain you’re experiencing. Remember that you should speak with your doctor or chiropractor before trying new treatments. They will provide medical advice custom-tailored to your situation.
Choosing the Right Mattress Can Help Manage Chronic Pain
Don’t believe that sleep helps manage pain? Sleep takes up about a third of your time each day. So it’s no wonder that your sleep quality is a real factor in managing chronic pain. You might have noticed that when you sleep poorly, your pain increases. For many people, when they are tired at the end of the day, pain increases.
In fact, some research shows that the number of hours you sleep well is a reliable predictor for pain intensity the next day. No matter which kind of chronic illness you are experiencing, if you sleep poorly, your pain will be worse the next day.
Although back or side sleep may help alleviate some kinds of pain, most doctors recommend that people with chronic pain avoid sleeping on their stomach because this can stress the spine and neck as well as make breathing more difficult.
Best Mattress for Back Pain
Many people experience back pain as a type of chronic pain. Sleeping on the wrong mattress can make lumbar pain worse. Back pain sufferers need a mattress to provide adequate support.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mattress for Chronic Pain
Are you looking for pain free sleep? The right new mattress may offer pain relief and provide you with quality sleep. There are, however, many factors you need to consider for chronic back pain and other chronic illnesses.
Sleeping Position
Side sleepers, stomach sleepers, and back sleepers all have different needs. What is your preferred sleeping position? Sleep position is very important to consider.
Stomach Sleepers
A firm or medium mattress is ideal for this, since it allows your hips and pelvis to rise above your shoulders without putting pressure on your spine.
Back Sleepers
Because your weight is spread out over a larger surface area, any firmness will work for you.
Side Sleepers with Chronic Pain
A softer mattress or topper can help. This applies less stress to your one shoulder, arm, and hip.
Your Weight
Generally, the heavier you are, the more firm you want your mattress to be.
Mattress Firmness
The firmness of your mattress will help provide pressure point relief. A mattress that doesn't provide adequate support can inflame any pressure points. There are many mattress types, including:
In general, a mattress that helps your spinal alignment and supports your joints while you sleep is preferable to one that allows your back to slump or your joints to twist and turn. This could help reduce pain and make it easier to fall asleep.
Temperature Control
Will you sleep better with a temperature-controlled mattress? Do you prefer a cool to cold mattress? Or do you need a warm, cozy mattress? Temperature-controlled mattresses offer a unique benefit for pain management or prevention. How your mattress feels can play a role in your sleep quality and pain management.
Mattress Material
There are many different materials for mattresses including:
What mattress is right for you will depend on personal preference, sleeping positions, pain, and more.
Other Sleep Disorders
If you struggle from chronic pain, like upper back pain, you likely struggle to sleep. Unfortunately, if you have other sleeping disorders, it may be even harder for you to get some much-needed restorative sleep. If you struggle with any other health conditions, you may need to consider them too as you decide what the most comfortable mattress for you is.
Memory Foam Layer or Other Mattress Topper
Some people prefer a mattress with a topper, or a layer of memory foam. Others may want a comfort layer like an organic cotton cover.
These types of mattress toppers can provide pressure relief.
Other Factors
Mattress Edge Support
Believe it or not, there are still more factors to consider when buying a quality mattress for chronic pain online. One is edge support. Your mattress' edge support is the perimeter of the mattress. A firm side can make getting in and out of bed easier.
Sleep Trial or Money Back Guarantee
Some mattress companies offer a sleep trial or money back guarantee. A sleep trial allows you to try out the mattress before you decide whether or not you'll keep it. This can give you peace of mind about your mattress purchase.
More Tips for Buying a Mattress to Reduce Chronic Pain or Back Pain
Rotate Your Mattress
Have you rotated your mattress recently? Remember to rotate or flip your old mattress or new mattress every three months to a year for best results.
If you have a memory foam mattress or a firmer mattress with a pillow top, you won't be able to flip it over at all, but rotating it might help it wear evenly over time.
Decide If You Need a Firm Mattress or Medium Firm Mattress
It can be hard to tell what level of firmness you need in your mattress. Before you purchase a new mattress, you may consider trying these suggestions from Harvard Medical School:
Put some plywood under your current mattress. This will help eliminate movement from the springs of your old mattress.
Another option is to put your mattress on the floor for a few nights. Does this help provide the proper spinal alignment?
Buying a Mattress Online
From a Twin XL to a California King, buying a new quality mattress online is easy. We've outlined some of the best mattresses here to help you find the right one for you!
If you deal with chronic back pain, you need a mattress that helps stretch and align your back as you sleep. The Parachute Mattress with ergonomic zones is a firm mattresses that combines two layers of coils with organic materials like cotton and wools to give you zoned comfort where you need it.
Unlike uniformly firm mattresses, the Parachute Mattress features coils that play an important role in creating support zones. At the head of the mattress, medium-soft coils provide pressure point relief, allowing the shoulder to sink comfortably. The middle of the bed, where your back and hips rest, is the firmest support zone to provide reinforcement to support your back, hips, and spine.
At the foot of the mattress, a medium support zone is designed to keep your legs and spine perfectly in line.
Mattress Pros
Zoned comfort support your spine and back, keeping them aligned.
One of the firmest sleeping experiences available while still offering pressure point relief.
No foams, adhesives or petrochemicals used. Recyclable, breathable and eco-friendly.
Mattress Cons
- May be too pricey for some budgets
People with pain in their legs and feet often get relief from elevation, and this mattress and base deliver.
The 12-inch PlushBeds CoolBliss Gel Memory Foam Mattress not only supplies pressure-point relief and spine alignment but it allows you to elevate your legs and feet, even bending them at the knees, to help reduce pressure, minimize swelling and soothe pain.
The CoolBliss Gel Memory Foam Mattress is also one of the most-cooling sleeping mattresses available so you don’t get too warm as you sink into comfort. You’ll experience soft, cool comfort. This kind of comfort is perfect for alleviating inflammation and reducing swelling.
The 5D Signature base is designed to help you raise or lower the foot and bed to provide perfect comfort. If your muscles on any part of your body need a little help relaxing, this foundation also includes massage.
For co-sleepers, a split king model is available.
Mattress Pros
- Cool mattress facilitates deeper sleep.
- Elevation of legs and feet alleviates pain.
- Two-person options available, so each sleeper can adjust the bed to suit their needs.
Mattress Cons
- May be priced beyond the budget of some shoppers.
If you suffer from migraines, you may spend a lot of time in bed, so you know how important the right environment can be to reduce pain.
People with chronic pain from migraines also need to avoid products with chemical off-gassing. People who are sensitive to chemical odors and smells can develop headaches or migraines. These people should get a bed made with natural materials such as organic latex, cotton and wool.
That’s why the Eco Terra Latex Mattress is a good choice for people who get migraines. This mattress is constructed with 100 percent natural Talalay latex. The company uses only organic wool and cotton along with fabric-encased responsive support coils. It never uses polyurethane, and its products never emit toxins. Eco Terra does not use fire-retardant chemicals or petrochemicals of any kind.
No emissions mean fewer headaches. The soft support and firm intercoil springs help keep your spine aligned while also providing pressure relief where needed.
Mattress Pros
- All natural and no emissions.
- Good combo of support and softness.
- Intercoils provide edge-to-edge support.
Mattress Cons
- Not compatible with adjustable frames.
When you’re dealing with chronic pain in your neck, you want perfect support for your spine and neck. The affordable Latex for Less Latex Mattress offers two levels of firmness in one mattress. Simply flip your Latex for Less Latex Mattress to the side that best suits your sleep style, your weight and the needs of your spine. No matter which side you choose, you will experience soft, buoyant support that keeps your back and neck aligned.
Don’t forget to support your neck properly. Your pillow should not elevate your head above your neck. The Latex for Less Pillow is designed to cradle the neck to keep your spine in a neutral position. The solid latex is all natural and delivers exceptional pressure relief in any sleep position. The pillow is also designed to stay cool via a special airflow design.
Mattress Pros
- Affordable comfort for your spine and neck.
- Adjustable firmness in a single mattress.
- All natural materials won’t emit fumes.
Mattress Cons
- Mattress may be too soft for heavier sleepers.
For people who have arthritis in the shoulders, arms, hands, legs or feet, the luxurious comfort and the plush layer of Body Adapting Dual Cloud Foam may provide relief.
Even though its exceptional softness provides pressure-point relief, the Puffy Lux Mattress also provides overall support. The layers are built to keep the spine aligned while also delivering balanced support.
Additionally, because warm sleeping can aggravate arthritis, the Puffy Lux mattress is built to stay cool. Several cooling features ensure your joints stay cool.
Mattress Pros
- Balanced support helps keep your spine aligned.
- Soft-to-the-touch comfort.
- A cooling layer keeps sleepers from feeling too warm.
Mattress Cons
- Not the best choice for people looking for a very firm mattress.